After a brief drop in the unemployment rate in May the rate in Clermont County returned to double digit figures in June.

The unemployment rate for the month of June rose to 10.2 percent of the workforce, up from 9.6 in May. Neighboring Clinton County has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 16.8 percent followed by Highland County at 16.0. Warren County has the lowest rate in Greater Cincinnati at 9.0.

Clermont County's unemployment rate is up from 9.8 last June and up from 5.9 percent in June of 2008.

The Ohio unemployment rate was down to 10.5 from the May rate of 10.7 percent of the workforce. The national rate also dropped from 9.7 percent in May to 9.5 percent in June. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, temporary census workers were released in June which offset a moderate increase in private sector employment.

Senator Sherrod Brown recently announced that the Department of Labor has approved Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits for former employees of Milacron Plastics Technologies Group who were laid off when the Batavia Township plant moved a portion of its operations out of the country. Brown said former workers who manufactured plastic processing machinery are eligible for the certified TAA.

"Losing a job can devastate families and affect whole communities," Brown said. "These funds will help ensure that these displaced workers in Clermont County have the financial support and training opportunities to get a fresh start."

According to information provided by the Department of Labor, the TAA program is designed to provide unemployment benefits and support for workers displaced by international trade.